Carnival Valor

The 2004-built Carnival Valor cruise ship is the third of five Conquest-class Carnival vessels, alongside sister ships Conquest, Freedom, Glory, and Liberty.

The vessel (IMO number 9236389) is currently Panama-flagged (MMSI 354298000) and registered in Colon.

History - Construction and Ownership

Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) is a US-based cruise company, a trademarked brand and subsidiary of Carnival Corporation. CCL was founded in 1972 by Ted Arison (1924–1999), who also co-founded Norwegian Cruise Line.

CCL operates the largest fleet in the Carnival Corporation group by number of ships and gross tonnage (GT). As of 2023, CCL held approximately 9% of global cruise industry revenue and 19% of passenger volume. In 2024, Carnival Corporation accounted for roughly 51% of the global US$64+ billion cruise market.

The 3,000-passenger Carnival Valor and her sister ships are among the largest in the CCL fleet. They are essentially larger versions of the earlier Destiny-class vessels, featuring more amenities, additional decks, expanded public spaces, more bars and lounges, an upscale steakhouse, and enhanced guest accommodations.

Decks and Cabins

Carnival Valor staterooms (1,492 total in 27 grades) include 54 Suites, 521 Balcony, 330 Oceanview, and 587 Inside cabins. This includes 29 wheelchair-accessible cabins across all categories. While there are no designated “family cabins,” the ship offers connecting rooms in various grades. Most cabins range in size from 170–185 ft² (16–17 m²), with balconies ranging from 35–75 ft² (5–7 m²). There are three suite types: Captain’s, Grand, and Ocean, with the largest being Captain’s Suites (500 ft² / 46 m² plus 150 ft² / 14 m² terrace).

The vessel has 13 passenger decks, including 8 with cabins. Over 50% of all staterooms are outside, and 60% of those feature balconies.

Shipboard Dining Options - Food and Drinks

Carnival Valor offers two main dining rooms serving traditional set-time dining or flexible "Your Choice Dining" options. Washington Restaurant (aft, framed by three walls of windows) is more scenic, while Lincoln Restaurant is centrally located. Both venues share the same menu, offering vegetarian, low-carb, and Spa Carnival choices. The upscale Scarlett’s Supper Club and the sushi station regularly exceed expectations. The casual Rosie’s buffet features multiple food stations including a salad bar, deli, dessert station, and rotating regional cuisine. Limited 24-hour room service is also available.

Carnival Valor completed a 16-day drydock on May 8, 2016, which added several new restaurants and bars. These included Alchemy Bar, Cherry on Top candy shop, RedFrog Pub, SkyBox Sports Bar, RedFrog Rum Bar, BlueIguana Tequila Bar, and complementary eateries such as Guy's Burger Joint (in partnership with Guy Fieri) and BlueIguana Cantina.

Complete list of Carnival Valor restaurants and food venues:

• Lincoln Restaurant (744-seat forward dining room with fixed seating or "Your Time Dining"; offers "Seuss at Sea" themed breakfasts for $5)
• Washington Restaurant (1,122-seat aft dining room with fixed dinner seatings and open seating for breakfast and lunch)
• Rosie’s Lido Buffet (1,396-seat self-serve buffet with multiple food stations; becomes a bistro in the evening)
• Scarlett’s Steakhouse (108-seat specialty restaurant with live music and a dance floor)
• Sushi Bar (complimentary)
• Sushi at Sea (Lido Bar)—a mini version of Bonsai Sushi, offering a la carte pricing ($1.50–$7.50)
• Alchemy Bar, Cherry on Top, RedFrog Pub, SkyBox Sports Bar, RedFrog Rum Bar, BlueIguana Tequila Bar, Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina

Shipboard Entertainment Options - Fun and Sport

The Valor’s interior design follows a “Heroes and Heroism” theme, celebrating global heroes. Guests are introduced to the theme upon boarding through the Deck 3 atrium. The decor, by Joe Farcus, features bold, gilded elements, gold-leaf eagles, mirrored ceilings, and flashy lighting. Like her sister ships, Valor boasts a three-deck Ivanhoe Theater and a wide variety of shopping and entertainment venues. The ship blends Carnival’s signature experiences with personalized service and a mix of Vegas-style shows, jazz, and piano entertainment.

Complete list of Carnival Valor lounges, clubs, and entertainment venues:

• Ivanhoe Theatre (1,400-seat main show lounge for musical productions, movies, and bingo)
• Valor Atrium and American Lobby (9-deck atrium with piano bar and live performances)
• Betsy Ross Card Room (28 seats); John Paul Jones Art Gallery (36 seats); Iliad Library (17 seats with board games); Photo Gallery and Shop; Sail & Sign Kiosk; Capital Conference Room (100 seats)
• Circle C (tween club with games, parties, and activities)
• The Web Internet Café (24-hour, 6-station computer room)
• Washington’s Bar (147-seat cigar bar with live music)
• The Fun Shops (duty-free items, apparel, souvenirs); Formalities Shop (tuxedo rentals, gifts)
• Bronx Bar (55-seat sports bar); Java Café (specialty coffee); Jeanne’s Bar (30-seat wine bar); Lindy Hop (100-seat piano bar); Paris Hot (88-seat jazz bar)
• Shogun Casino (484 seats); King Boulevard Promenade Bar (23 seats)
• Club O2 (teen lounge with movies, games, karaoke, and parties); Video Games Arcade (24-hour)
• One Small Step Disco and Nightclub (211 seats); Eagles Lounge and Bar (425 seats, hosts Punchliner Comedy Club and brunch)
• Argonaut Area (2 whirlpools, bars, grills, live music stage)
• Prometheus Pool Area (aft pool with bar, pizzeria, 2 whirlpools, and Sky Dome)
• Aqua Park (Dolphin Pool with Twister Waterslide, whirlpool, splash zones)
• Carnival Seaside Theatre (outdoor LED cinema with live show stage)
• Spa Carnival (steam rooms, saunas, massage rooms, beauty salon, spa pool, gym)
• Sports Deck (basketball, volleyball, table tennis, shuffleboard); Jogging Track; 9-hole Mini-Golf Course
• Serenity (adults-only sundeck with bar, whirlpools, and loungers)
• Camp Ocean (kids' club with supervised activities and outdoor play area). Camp Carnival’s wading pool is no longer available.

Itineraries

The Carnival Valor itinerary program includes 7-night roundtrip cruises departing from Bridgetown and San Juan. From Port Canaveral, the ship sails Western Caribbean routes visiting Puerto Rico, Mexico, Belize, Roatan, Grand Turk, and the Bahamas.

In 2021, Carnival Valor was scheduled for two 15-day Transatlantic crossings. The eastbound cruise (January 25–February 9) sailed from New Orleans to Barcelona, calling at Hamilton (Bermuda), Funchal (Madeira), Malaga, and Valencia. The westbound cruise (February 26–March 13) sailed from Barcelona to New Orleans, calling at Cartagena, Malaga, Funchal, Philipsburg (St Maarten), and San Juan (Puerto Rico). Both itineraries were scheduled in connection with a 17-day drydock at Navantia Shipyard in Cadiz, Spain.

Fun Ship 2.0 upgrade was completed in 2016. Valor is part of Carnival's Conquest-class liners, built by Fincantieri Monfalcone, with sister ships Conquest, Freedom, Glory, and Liberty. The vessel was christened by godmother Katherine Anne "Katie" Couric—US journalist and author at Yahoo! Global News. The ship's interior design follows a "Heroes and Heroism" theme created by Joe Farcus.

Due to scheduled drydock refurbishment projects, in September 2020 Carnival Cruise Line canceled all planned itineraries for 2020 and Q1 2021 for the following four ships:

• Carnival Magic: itineraries from Miami, Florida canceled from November 7, 2020, through March 13, 2021 (first departure).
• Carnival Paradise: itineraries from Tampa, Florida canceled from November 2, 2020, through March 19, 2021 (first departure).
• Carnival Valor: 28 itineraries from New Orleans canceled from November 2, 2020, through April 29, 2021 (first departure), including two Transatlantic crossings—from New Orleans (January 25) and from Barcelona (February 26).
• Carnival Spirit: itineraries from Brisbane, Australia canceled from December 6, 2020, through May 16, 2021 (first departure on June 12—repositioning cruise from Singapore to Brisbane).

Carnival Valor Refurbishments Review

Drydock 2025

The 2025 drydock (May–June), held at Navantia Shipyard in Cadiz (Spain), was a major refit and included the following updates:

Carnival WaterWorks (aquapark) was added to the top decks, featuring twin racing waterslides and splash zones.

On Deck 5, the Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge was introduced, honoring active-duty US service members and veterans. Also added to Deck 5 was the Carnival Adventures desk for shore excursion information and bookings.

Public area accessibility was improved through widened pathways and modernized facilities.

All staterooms received upgrades including additional USB charging ports and LED lighting.

The Casino was fully renovated and expanded, now featuring new gaming machines and an improved layout.

The wellness center (spa and gym) was rebranded as Cloud 9 Spa.

A Dream Studio for personalized photo shoots was added on Deck 3.

The children’s facilities were upgraded. Camp Ocean was renovated and now features the first LED wall in the CCL fleet, offering interactive programming and multiplayer games. The teen clubs—Circle C and Club O2—were enhanced with new gaming and karaoke options.

General renovations throughout the ship included new carpeting and ongoing hotel maintenance.

Drydock 2016

The following deck plan changes were made during the 2016 drydock (April 23–May 7) in Freeport, Bahamas:

New eateries and poolside bars were added on Lido Deck 9 under the Fun Ship 2.0 program. These include Guy’s Burger Joint (replacing the starboard Grille), BlueIguana Cantina (replacing the portside Grille), RedFrog Rum Bar (poolside, starboard), and BlueIguana Tequila Bar (poolside, portside).

On Promenade Deck 5, Cherry on Top candy shop replaced the Formalities shop. New venues added to Deck 5 include SkyBox Sports Bar (replacing Bronx Bar, portside), Alchemy Bar (replacing Jeanne’s Wine Bar), and RedFrog Pub (partially replacing Club O2, portside).

Additional technical enhancements included shoreside power capabilities. Routine maintenance included a new hull coating.

In Q1 2021 (February–April, dates TBA), Carnival Valor was scheduled for drydock at Navantia Shipyard in Cadiz, Spain, mainly for general maintenance.

The ship’s first drydock refurbishment was in 2008 as part of the "Fun Ship 1.0" / "Evolution of Fun" program. A Mongolian Grill was added to the Lido restaurant, and the Lido Deck received a large LED screen for outdoor movies and events. The second drydock was completed in 2011 (2-week project).

During the 2011 drydock, the Serenity (adults-only sundeck) was enhanced, and six new scenic oceanview rooms and two new suites were added. Routine hotel, lounge, and public area upgrades were also carried out. Between 2014 and 2016, "Fun Ship 2.0" upgrades continued, adding new bars, lounges, dining, and entertainment venues.